Chapter 36

Carlisle stood there, feeling a whirlwind of thoughts spiraling in his mind as Asher’s words barely registered. "That explains why she’s been avoiding you. She probably found out about your connection to me and doesn’t trust you."

But Carlisle wasn’t really listening. His mind was stuck on something else, something that had been nagging at him ever since the fun fair. Kylian. The little boy with the bright blue eyes. Carlisle had brushed off the familiar feeling at first, thinking it was nothing more than a fleeting sense of déjà vu. But now, with everything Asher had just revealed, the pieces of the puzzle started to fall into place, and the picture they formed was troubling.

Who was the father? That question gnawed at him like a persistent itch he couldn’t scratch. If Kylian was a werewolf, Carlisle would have sensed it immediately. Werewolves had a distinctive scent, one that was impossible to miss. But he hadn’t scented anything unusual on the boy. Which meant... what? Was Olivia involved with a human?

"Are you listening to me?" Asher’s voice cut through Carlisle’s thoughts, snapping him back to the present.

Carlisle blinked, focusing on Asher’s face, which was now etched with concern. "Yeah, yeah, I’m listening," Carlisle said quickly, shaking off his thoughts for the moment.

"I’ll take care of Olivia while you’re gone. You can count on me."

"Good. Keep a close watch."

Carlisle nodded back, trying to bury the unease gnawing at him. "You got it, Asher. I’ll make sure she’s safe."

Carlisle decided to check for himself if Kylian was indeed Olivia’s son before informing Asher.

***

Helen stood in the doorway, her face pale and her hands twisting nervously in front of her. Olivia looked up from the book she was pretending to read, immediately sensing that something was wrong. Helen had that look—like she’d just seen a ghost and was trying to decide whether to scream or faint.

"Olivia," Helen started, her voice trembling. "I made a huge mistake."

Olivia’s heart skipped a beat. She set the book down and stood up, crossing the room in a few quick strides to reach her. "What happened? What’s wrong?"

Helen swallowed hard, looking as though she might cry. "Carlisle... Carlisle works for Asher."

For a moment, the words didn’t fully register. Olivia blinked, trying to process what Helen had just said. Carlisle? The same Carlisle that Helen had been swooning over, the one who had seemed so sweet and harmless, was working for Asher? Her Asher?

Shock rippled through her, followed swiftly by a surge of panic. "He works for Asher?" Olivia repeated, her voice strained. "Are you sure?"

Helen nodded miserably. "Yes, he told me himself. I didn’t realize at first who he was talking about, but when he mentioned Asher Montefort, I knew... I knew it was your Asher."

Olivia’s mind raced. Carlisle had seen Kylian at the funfair. He had talked to him and spent time with him. Had he suspected anything? Could he have figured out that Kylian was her son—Asher’s son? The thought made her stomach churn with anxiety. If he was here with Asher, it meant he was his beta. She had never met his beta, so she wasn’t sure.

"He didn’t... He didn’t know that Kylian is my son, did he?" Olivia asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Helen shook her head quickly. "No, no, I didn’t tell him. I didn’t say anything about Kylian being your son. But Olivia, I’m so scared. What if he finds out? What if Asher finds out?"

Olivia’s thoughts were spinning, her pulse pounding in her ears. She had been so careful and diligent in using the potions to mask Kylian’s scent and keep his identity hidden. But she knew it was only a matter of time before the truth came out. The potions could only do so much, and Asher was no fool. He would eventually discover that Kylian was his son.

"Helen," Olivia said, forcing herself to stay calm even though fear was clawing at her insides, "it’s okay. You didn’t do anything wrong. I’ll handle it."

"But what are you going to do?" Helen asked, her voice trembling with guilt and worry.

"Asher’s leaving today," Olivia said, her mind already working through a plan. "I’ll leave tonight. Once Veronica makes the arrangements, I’ll fly to Spain. Kylian and I will be gone before Asher even realizes what’s happened."

Helen looked at her with wide, fearful eyes. "Are you sure? What if he comes after you?"

Olivia’s jaw tightened. "I have to take that chance. I can’t let him find out about Kylian. If he does... if he knows Kylian is his son... everything will change. And I can’t let that happen."

Helen bit her lip, tears welling up in her eyes. "I’m so sorry, Olivia. I never meant to put you in this position."

Olivia reached out and pulled Helen into a hug, trying to offer some comfort despite the storm of emotions raging inside her. "It’s okay, Em. You didn’t know. We’ll get through this."

But as she held Helen close, Olivia’s thoughts were already on the hours ahead. She would have to move quickly, quietly. There was no time to waste. If she was going to keep Kylian safe, she had to get out of town tonight. And once she was gone, she could only hope that Asher would let her go. Because if he didn’t, if he chose to follow her...

Olivia pushed the thought away, focusing instead on what needed to be done.

***

The night air was cool, a slight breeze rustling the leaves as Carlisle made his way towards Helen’s house. He had patrolled this area with Asher every night, but they always kept a respectful distance, never crossing the invisible boundary that separated them from Olivia’s life. But tonight was different. Tonight, he needed answers.

As he neared the house, Carlisle slowed his pace, his senses on high alert. The familiar scent of Olivia drifted to him, mixed with the faint, soothing scent of lavender. But there was something else—a subtle undertone that made his wolf stir uneasily. He sniffed the air again, and this time he caught it clearly. She had the child with her.

He crouched low, moving silently through the shadows until he had a clear view of the house. The front door was open, and Carlisle could see Olivia stepping out into the cool night air, carrying a small sleeping figure in her arms. Kylian.

She moved quickly; her steps careful but determined as she made her way to the car parked in the driveway. Carlisle watched as she opened the back door and gently laid Kylian in the back seat, tucking a blanket around him with a mother’s tenderness. Olivia straightened up, her eyes scanning the area as if making sure she wasn’t being watched. She closed the car door quietly and moved around to the driver’s side.

Carlisle’s mind raced as he watched her start the engine. What was she doing? Where was she taking Kylian at this hour?

The car’s headlights flickered on, casting long shadows across the driveway as Olivia pulled out onto the street. Carlisle took out his phone and called Asher.